Ashes 2025: Usman Khawaja’s Test future questioned as Travis Head and Jake Weatherald open at the Gabba
Who should partner Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia’s order for the Ashes? That question dominated discussions in the lead-up, with contenders including Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne all taking turns over the past year.
Khawaja’s form had slipped, delivering only two scores above fifty in his 27 innings since January 2024. In the end, Jake Weatherald earned the opening slot on the shield form, but not alongside the incumbent Khawaja. A back spasm ruled Khawaja out of Perth’s first innings, and he did not bat in the second as Head produced a match-winning century in his stead. Cricket Australia later confirmed the back injury prevented Khawaja from playing at the Gabba, and on day two Weatherald and Head were given another chance, with Weatherald taking on an aggressive role beside the swashbuckling Head.
Their partnership sparked excitement at the Gabba as Weatherald and Head dashed to 77 off just 13 overs, leaving Khawaja’s future to the forefront as he approaches turning 39 on day two of the third Test in Adelaide.
Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann weighed in on ABC Sport, arguing Weatherald deserved a proper run after just two games: “You can’t drop Weatherald — he’s only played two games. You’ve got to give him a good run at it, so he’s in. If Head goes well, he’s in. If he goes well as opener two Test matches in a row you’re not moving him. If Inglis fails they probably can slot [Khawaja] back in, but do you or don’t you? You’ve got to move on at some stage. It’s evolution.”
Meanwhile, Weatherald reached his maiden Test half-century in his second appearance, yet his 72 off 78 eventually ended in dismissal on day two’s middle session. The rookie’s gritty effort highlighted the ongoing challenge for any opener to register a Test century since David Warner left the setup almost three years prior, keeping the pressure firmly on selectors to find a lasting solution at the top of the order.
